Kitchen Director

Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family-owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Over the decades, Chick-fil-A has grown into one of the most recognized and beloved quick-service restaurant chains in the United States, known especially for its original chicken sandwich and commitment to quality, service, and community. The company operates more than 2,300 restaurants across 47 states and Washington, D.C., serving freshly prepared food with an emphasis on hospitality and customer satisfaction. Chick-fil-A prides itself on fostering a positive work environment and giving back to the local communities where its restaurants operate.

This opening is for a strategic kitchen leadership role within Chick-fil-A. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating kitchen-oriented strategies that drive the store towards achieving its vision. This role is crucial in guiding restaurant leadership to push towards operational excellence while prioritizing food safety, speed, and quality. The position involves continuously developing leadership capabilities, training and delegating tasks to managers and team leaders, and ensuring all systems and procedures align with Chick-fil-A’s high standards for productivity and safety.

The role demands a solution-oriented leader who can quickly resolve operational issues and implement sustainable improvements to prevent future recurrence. Keeping food cost, labor, and inventory expenses within budgetary goals is central to the position. The individual will be expected to foster a positive work environment that encourages respectful behavior and cooperation among staff, preventing conflicts and maintaining order. Developing and guiding kitchen leadership in their day-to-day responsibilities is a key aspect, including overseeing task completion accuracy and timeliness.

This leadership role requires a high-energy, self-motivated individual with a strong sense of ownership, drive, and a servant’s mentality. Managing personnel-related matters such as call-outs, time punch issues, and hiring is included. The leader will also ensure systems like LEAN processes, inventory rotation, and operational protocols function correctly. Training plans and productivity measures are under their purview, along with initiatives to minimize unnecessary food waste.

Additionally, the leader will oversee special event operations to ensure smooth execution and maintain personal development plans for each leader through continuous coaching and one-on-one meetings. Investment in personal growth in business and leadership excellence is essential, including scheduling time for store improvement planning and research. The role demands asking the right questions and guiding the team towards innovative thinking rather than simply providing answers.

Overall, this position offers a dynamic and impactful leadership opportunity in one of the most respected brands in the food service industry. The candidate will play a vital role in sustaining Chick-fil-A’s reputation for excellence and ensuring the team can deliver outstanding service and product quality consistently.